Samsung now sells like-new refurbished Galaxy phones on Amazon

Samsung has started selling its certified refurbished Galaxy phones on Amazon for the first time. Prices start at $489. That is far below the $899 starting price of the newest Galaxy S26. The phones come with a new battery, genuine Samsung parts and a one-year warranty.

What changed

Samsung runs a program called Certified Re-Newed Galaxy. Until now, shoppers could buy these phones through Samsung's own store. Samsung added the S26 family to that program in September. Now 14 versions of older models are also listed on Amazon, the store many people already use.

The models include the Galaxy S24 FE, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra. Samsung has not shared the price of every version in its announcement, so $489 is only the starting point.

What makes it different

Refurbished phones can feel like a gamble. Samsung says this program is meant to remove that worry. Each phone is serviced by Samsung specialists, not a third-party seller. Here is what the company says goes into it:

• Only genuine Samsung parts are used.
• Every phone gets a new battery.
• Each phone must pass 147 quality checks before it earns the Certified Re-Newed label.
• A one-year manufacturer warranty is included.

The phones can also be covered by Samsung Care+, Samsung's paid protection plan.

How the prices compare

The current Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra start at $899, $1,099 and $1,299.99. The top configuration can reach $1,799.99. Against those numbers, a $489 starting price is a big gap, though the more premium refurbished models will cost more than the entry price.

Newer phones are still shinier. But the refurbished S24 and S25 models still have years of software updates ahead, according to the report. Reviewers have also spoken well of the Ultra versions. The S24 Ultra was called one of the most complete and capable smartphones the reviewer had used. The S25 Ultra was called a flagship powerhouse that can last for years.

What to do

If you are shopping for a high-end Android phone, compare the refurbished price with the S26 price for the model you want. Check the exact configuration, since only the starting price has been shared. Look for the Certified Re-Newed label and the one-year Samsung warranty before you buy.